Okay Seriously...

Warning: There are no photos in this post, because the words are what is important. Fear not, the world isn't going to end without a picture.

We have made it to the middle of another week. I was talking to a friend yesterday, and we decided that July is the month that never was. Time is just going by so fast, and I don't know whether I like it or not. I'm ready to go on vacation with my love, I'm ready for Chicago, I'm ready for September to roll around so that we find out more about our future, but I'm not ready for all the moving stress that is about to happen.

This is also why I'm not sure if I'm happy about how busy I am these days. I'm usually the type of person that likes to live as simply as possible. Home-work-gym, home-work-gym, and I'm a happy girl. Now I'm juggling dog sitters, travel, hotels, regular work schedule, party planning, photo shoots, squeezing in workouts {even at 9pm like last night}, trying to eat healthy, and trying to clean. As you can see, I'm definitely leaving cleaning last...I mean, the house is clean, but it's definitely not organized at the moment. I have kept up with the dishes and I remembered to put the trash out. I'm going to call it a win.

I'm sure everyone is all like, "What a whiny baby", and yes...yes, I am.

Although, I didn't say that I absolutely hated it all. I just said that I'm not sure how happy I am about it. Typically, stressful situations like this lead to a breakdown for me, but I have vowed to myself that I am NOT going to get to that point. I am challenging myself to make it through August with a peaceful mind and by taking things one day at a time. I have to remind myself that this is an opportunity for personal growth and one month of insanity will NOT kill me.

Can you imagine if I had kids? I don't know how you momma's do it. So for everyone that tries to influence me to have children, this is an example of why I shouldn't.

Moving on...to the real point of today's post.

Keeping up the MOTIVATION.

Working out is the thing that is keeping me centered, so I am trying my hardest to keep myself healthy from the inside out this month. I tend to get sick in stressful situations, but I am trying my best to avoid that. Fitness and healthy food is the best medicine, and I have no excuse not to protect myself. 

My problem now as of now, is that I eat like shit when Will isn't home. Okay, so maybe not as bad as other's eat, but I'm basically eating "snacks" all the time and no real food.  What's worse is that I tend to lose my appetite when Will is gone. I stand in the kitchen not wanting to cook for one and nothing sounds good, so I just grab the first thing I see, which leads to mindlessly snacking. It NEEDS to stop.

I saw these questions on Mal's blog recently, and I'm a sucker for Q&A's. Plus, It's good to see my answers and remind myself what I need to be doing.

1. What did you eat for breakfast?

A turkey sammich on Garlic Sour Dough. It was bomb.com.

2. How much water do you drink a day?
I usually aim for 60 oz, but I have been SO dehydrated. Something seems to be off weather wise, which also might be why I'm getting tired quick.

3. What is your current favorite workout?
Jillian Michaels Extreme Shed & Shred. Hands down.

4. How many calories do you eat a day?
Oh boy this varies. I aim for 1,400-1,600, but I try not to go crazy.

5. What are your favorite healthy snacks?
Larabars, Coconut Peanut Butter, Veggies & Hummus, Toast or Bagels spread with Avocado and a dash of salt, Fresh Pico de Gallo, and lately...anything POPCORN. Although...I'm not positive that's as healthy as I tell myself it is.

6. What do you usually eat for lunch?
I actually have Brunch at about 10:00AM instead of lunch, but it's usually leftovers or something savory. I can't do sweet early day unless it's a protein shake after the gym.

7. What is your favorite body part to strength train?
My core. I do love toning my arms and bootay, but if I work my core, the rest follows.

8. What is your least favorite body part to strength train?
I don't have a least favorite...

9. What are your “bad” food cravings?
Pizza, chocolate, and things like fried pickles.

10. Do you take vitamins or supplements?
I take a Multi, Fish Oil, B Complex, Cinnamon, and Biotene. Fish Oil is my FAVORITE. It definitely makes me feel more calm throughout the day, which I was surprised to find.

11. How often do you eat out?
Lately? Too many times. Normally? A handful of times a month.

12. Do you eat fast food?
Pretty much never. Fast Food= Fat Food.

13. Who is your biggest supporter?
My amazing PT stud of a husband.

14. Do you have a gym membership?
Yes, it's called signing your life over to the Army. One of the perks is access to FREE gyms!

15. How many hours of sleep do you get a night?
I usually get seven, but I try for eight or more.

16. Do you have a “cheat” day?
No, those don't work. It's a shock to your system and leads to bad habits. I try to live by the 80/20 method. I eat mostly healthy foods 80% of the time, and then allow myself small indulgences the other 20%. Much easier to manage.

17. Do you drink alcohol?
Most of the time no, but I have been imbibing more lately.

18. Do you have a workout buddy?
My hubby!

19. What is the best thing that has changed about your life since committing to a healthy lifestyle?
More energy and less stress. Or at least stress seems easier to manage.

20. What was the last healthy thing you did?
Other than go to the gym everyday and maintain a healthy lifestyle? 
I ran a new route around the neighborhood, which included running two hills up the Mesa- but by running, I mean jogging slowly.

If you made it to this point, thanks for listening to my rant, and a special thanks to these ladies for helping us all with our movivation: Mal Smile's, The Pink Growl, and Life Oceanside

Life isn't all rainbows and ponies, but that's what makes the good days so sweet.

The Good And Not-So-Bad Of Last Week!

Happy, happy Monday!

I know that sounds strange, but I had one very glorious day off yesterday and Will forbade me to do anything but relax. He also told me to quit working so much, so I even gave up one of my six shifts this week. I now realize that working excessively is NOT worth it, and I just can't hang like I used to. That and the fact that traveling, working in vastly different Colorado stores, and trying to keep up with everyday life is just too much. Thank goodness for my supportive husband that knows me better than I know myself.

Reasons why this last week rocked my socks:

#1 I got to hang out with this pretty lady for the week:

#2 My new job role is AMAZING.

Like seriously, my boss actually said, and I quote, "It's like you were meant for this job. In fact, you should take my job. You'd probably be better at it." BAM.

So what is it exactly? We are starting a new training program that we are creating from scratch at the same time. It makes it a little tough, but that's kind of why I love it. We are teaching the girls and learning ourselves in the process, and with zero materials or guidelines, we just inspire based off of what we know and love about Hooters. Most of the girls we are training are afraid of "corporate" coming in, but I'm proud to say that I received hugs from them every day and I actually cried when I left the store. In three days I became attached and felt so fulfilled.

#3 We got to celebrate Buck's Dirty 30 in Denver.

We had an amazing dinner at the Cheesecake Factory, and then hit up downtown for fun and games! I get really bored just sitting at a bar, so when I saw that the Viewhouse had party games set up, I was in heaven.

I just love us...Mid-night photoshoot using my new remote:

And this is what happens when Buck has the camera. 

Obviously, I was in good spirits.

#4 Will and I started having phone dates every night instead of just texting.

We tend to text a lot, but it's just not enough when we aren't going to see each other for a month. We decided that we need to actually talk on the phone, and it is amazing to hear his voice each night. Every little bit helps ;)

#5 My truck broke down.

I know this seems like a bad thing, but let me break it down for ya.

I actually had to work a night shift at the Kipling Hooters for the first time in YEARS {I'm a 'Day girl'}, so I had a drink after work with the managers. Yes, I drank two nights in a row. When we left, they waited until I got in my truck, and we all headed out. Well, until my truck wouldn't turn over. Thank goodness Chris didn't race off so I was able to catch him, and as we had no jumper cables {dumb on my part}, he took me to the hotel. The next day, my awesome roomie took me back and then my REGIONAL Manager didn't hesitate to help me fix it. It was actually a simple fix, and it just made me feel so good that they all jumped at the chance to help me. I felt so taken care of by people that I barely even know...Makes me tear up as I type this, actually.

I had to thank them, so I picked up a few little cards and this.

{Like my decorating skills?}

I posted that to Facebook as well, and the status read:

"Lesson for today kids: Keep your car battery terminals clean if you want your battery to actually power your vehicular device, and make sure to thank your rescuers with a personalized cookie cake."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So yeah...I am feeling pretty fulfilled after last week, and am happy that it helped the time fly by to get closer to wrapping my arms around Will. It also has me excited for what this week holds. I'm working in store through Wednesday and then off to Denver again Thursday. I will be training at our Parker Road store on Thursday, and then we have a Charity Golf Tournament on Friday. I originally wasn't going to work the Golf Tournament, but now they have asked me to sing the National Anthem, and by asked, I mean Volun-TOLD. I'm soooo nervous, and I don't know why. I mean, yes, I always have stage fright, but I'm feeling the pressure! How do I get myself into these things? Sheesh.

Well, I just got a knock on the door from the meter man. I guess we are getting some new "Smart Meter", and he will turn the power off for a couple. I'm taking that as my cue to go to work. Remember kids, Perception really IS Everything, and enjoy your Monday!

I'm Feeling Re-Inspired

Mal, Hallie, and Nikki have been having a motivational link up that I have partaken in, and this week we are getting extra inspirational by sharing what inspires us. I'm feeling all kinds'a inspired lately, so I went a bit farther.

Who:
Will is athletic by nature and a PT Stud {Physical Training}, and I hated losing time with him when he went to the gym on weekends. Post Deployment, I decided to jump right in and haven't looked back!
What:

The culprit was my slowing metablism.
Where:
I also think Colorado is inspiring, because the Altitude makes every day tasks harder. You will ALWAYS be out of breath after taking a few flights of stairs, but you see a difference in your body without even working out as it adjusts. If you add working out into the mix, it just makes it better.
When:
I'm working out six-seven days a week. I do take it easier two-three days a week, but I like to burn the extra calories everyday, and I ALWAYS want the high.
Why:

#1 Not having to feel guilty about what I eat (within moderation of course).
#2 Health and that feeling of being 'clean'.
#3 Sculpting my body to look how I never thought it could.

Example of #1: Blating with Sami this week! 

We went to  Benihana's for her first time, and we are going to Cheesecake tonight for dinner. Obviously = LOTS of motivation to work out.

You know what else inspires me?
This blog and YOU.

Recently, my posting went from five+ days a week to as low as one day, and y'all are still here. I lost some followers, but who needs puff followers anyways? I'm now getting into a more realistic habit of commenting that I hope will help me become more efficient and less stressed when I open my email to 300+ emails.

"Technology is a tool, not a learning outcome...we need to use it as a platform, creative outlet, free therapy. It's not the about numbers {unless you are or have a goal to make money} or a popularity contest."- Unknown

Maybe one day I will be a SAHW {SAHM's work harder than I do now, so props to ya}, and I will be able to put days on end into this blog, but until then...this is my haven and not my only obligation and/or job. I need to remind myself of that when I worry about whether to answer emails or go for a workout. My health, my husband, and my sanity come first, but you guys are next in my life line ;) This really is a learning process; a great way to learn multitasking and how to prioritize life. Don't ya think?

Paid-Cation!

I can't believe that I'm about to get paid to head up to Denver {one of my favorite cities in the US} to teach! Yes, I am teaching Hooterific 101 and not school curriculum, but if you can learn to be truly Hooterific, you can go anywhere as a female. It really is a science and definitely full of Psychology, problem solving, acting skills, and hospitality administration. I'm so used to training the newbies that only absorb about half the info, but now we have the chance to build on a real foundation. As you can tell, I'm pretty excited about it, even if it is just Hooters ;)

Although, you may be surprised to find that this is very out of my comfort zone. My true Introvert colors are showing, and I had anxiety like whoa yesterday. The training part is great, but heading up there without Will, having to leave Weiser at a sitter, and being in a new environment full of a bunch of girls that I don't know...It made me almost say no to the promotion initially. Luckily, my desire to challenge myself and try new things outweighed my anxiety, so here we GO.

It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all- in which case, YOU FAIL BY DEFAULT." 
J.K. Rowling

Will {unintentionally} did his part in keeping my mind off of it this weekend, though.
He consumed my mind with his shenanigans, hanging out with his old BFF Thomas. Not that I don't trust them, but I kept receiving pictures of copious shots... I don't trust Mr. Jack Daniel's; he's a manipulative fellow, as you know.

Thankfully, I can report that Will is back to school today, and I have spoken to him sober for the first time in two days. I swear, it's like he transports back to College days in Virginia. Glad he's having fun, I guess. 

Now it's time for ME to have fun, but fear not, I am still blogging this week. Wednesday is the reveal of the One Year Anniversary for The Messy Project, so be READY. I can't even explain how excited I am to share it, because I had so much fun styling it and learning about my camera. Just wait until you see the pictures. Eeek!